You get the call that you’ve made it to the interview. You do a happy dance. You’re one step closer to starting a new chapter in your career. Then, reality sets in. What questions will they ask? How’s my lighting? Is my background OK? Will my dog bark?.
Interviewing is overwhelmingly nerve-wracking. We get it, and we’re right there with you. Since most of our employees work from home, it’s likely that your interviewer is also hoping their dog doesn’t make a noise.
When you’re ready for the big day, putting your best foot forward during a virtual interview doesn’t have to be as stressful. Here are some tips from our Talent Acquisition team to help you relax before your video interview:
Are you preparing for an interview at Blue Cross Blue Shield? As one of the largest health insurance providers in the nation, Blue Cross Blue Shield receives thousands of applicants each year for roles ranging from customer service to nursing to management and beyond
To stand out, you’ll need to demonstrate your skills, experience, and healthcare industry knowledge when answering common Blue Cross Blue Shield interview questions.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover
- Background on Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
- Overview of the Blue Cross Blue Shield hiring process
- Most frequently asked Blue Cross Blue Shield interview questions with sample answers
- Tips for interview success
Let’s get started!
About Blue Cross Blue Shield
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is a national federation of 36 independent and locally operated Blue Cross Blue Shield companies that provide health insurance to over 106 million members.
Blue Cross Blue Shield companies offer a wide range of health insurance products to individuals, families, and businesses. As mission-driven companies, they aim to ensure all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.
The BCBSA sets national policies and strategies but each company operates independently with its own management and boards. So while you will be interviewing for a specific Blue Cross Blue Shield brand, understanding the national association is helpful.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Hiring Process
The hiring process varies slightly by role and company location but often includes:
- Initial phone screen with recruiter
- 1-3 in-person or video interviews, often including:
- Interview with hiring manager
- Panel interview with team members
- Case study or technical assessment
- Background check
- Final interview (for senior roles)
- Offer
Interviews tend to focus on situational questions and assessing culture fit and technical competencies for the role. Come prepared to talk about your relevant experience and healthcare industry knowledge.
Common Blue Cross Blue Shield Interview Questions and Answers
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to expect during your Blue Cross Blue Shield interview:
1. Why do you want to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield specifically?
This question evaluates your interest in and knowledge of the company. Be specific about why you’re excited for this role versus a competitor.
Sample Answer: I’m excited to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield specifically because of your commitment to providing affordable, quality healthcare nationwide. Your non-profit mission aligns with my personal values. I’m impressed by your leadership in value-based care programs and innovations like Blue Cross Blue Shield’s digital health solutions. I would be proud to use my background in customer service and claims processing to support your mission of improving healthcare access.
2. What do you know about Blue Cross Blue Shield’s history and values?
They want to see you’ve researched the company background and understand their goals. Discuss their history and highlight shared values.
Sample Answer: I recognize Blue Cross Blue Shield was founded in 1929 as a way for hospitals to provide affordable care for low-income citizens. Over nearly 100 years, you’ve maintained that commitment to affordable healthcare as core to your mission. Your company values of integrity, community, and trust mirror my own professional values. I’m drawn to companies like yours with such a rich history of service.
3. Why do you want to work in health insurance specifically?
Show your genuine interest in the industry and how you can contribute with your background and skills.
Sample Answer: I’m excited to work in health insurance because I believe strongly in the mission to make care accessible and affordable. I want to utilize my background in customer support and claims processing specifically to improve people’s experience navigating their health coverage and getting the critical care they need. I’m passionate about translating complex insurance policies into guidance patients can easily understand.
4. Tell me about a time you had to explain a complex process or situation to a customer. How did you handle this effectively?
They want to hear an example that demonstrates your communication skills, customer orientation, and ability to simplify complexity.
Sample Answer: In my previous role at an insurance brokerage, I needed to explain the complex Medicare enrollment process to new retirees who were often confused about deadlines and steps. To make the process easier to understand, I created simplified written guides with visuals walking through each step, like diagrams of the enrollment timeline. I also scheduled follow-ups to re-explain anything they found confusing and confirm their understanding. This full-circle communication resulted in higher customer satisfaction scores and smoother enrollments.
5. Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work. How did you handle it?
Share an example that highlights your accountability, judgment, and learning from errors.
Sample Answer: Recently, I miscalculated a client’s premium amount during a renewal quote. Luckily I caught the error before sending the quote, but I immediately disclosed the mistake to my manager and contacted the client to explain there had been a calculation error and provide the corrected information. To prevent similar errors going forward, I asked our tech team if they could build in premium double-checking functionality and also implemented my own process of running multiple checks on calculations.
6. How would you handle an angry or dissatisfied customer?
Prove you can calmly diffuse frustration and transform dissatisfaction into resolution.
Sample Answer: When facing an angry or dissatisfied customer, I’d first listen carefully without interrupting so I fully understand their perspective and frustrations. I’d then apologize sincerely for any issues and assure the customer I’ll do everything I can to help resolve the problem to their satisfaction. If I need help finding a resolution, I will escalate the issue to my supervisor while keeping the customer informed. Throughout the process, I will remain patient, empathetic to their dissatisfaction, and committed to reaching the best possible outcome. Turning difficulties into positives is so important for customer loyalty.
7. What do you think makes someone successful working in the healthcare or insurance industries?
Share the most critical qualities and skills for these roles – this shows self-awareness and readiness.
Sample Answer: In my experience, some key qualities that lead to success in healthcare and insurance are sharp analytical abilities, tremendous attention to detail, empathy, and dedication to customers. The finest professionals I’ve worked with also demonstrate integrity, patience, and passion for improving people’s lives and access to care. I believe my own background and values align with these attributes. Excellent communication skills are also crucial for educating patients and clarifying complex information.
8. How do you stay up-to-date on healthcare regulations and insurance compliance standards?
Demonstrate you have initiative to stay current on critical regulations and are committed to ethical compliance.
Sample Answer: Staying current on regulations and compliance is crucial in this industry, so I make it a priority to regularly review new legislation, attend industry conferences and workshops, and participate in trainings whenever possible. My last role also had a monthly compliance newsletter that was very educational. Outside of work, I follow a few reputable industry publications and blogs that provide updates on regulation changes. But I’m also proactive about asking my manager anytime I have a question about current standards or proper protocols so I can ensure everything I do is legally and ethically compliant.
9. Tell me about a time you successfully led or motivated a team. What strategies did you use?
Show your leadership skills by outlining how you set direction, motivated, and brought out the best in your team.
Sample Answer: As a project lead in my last job, I was responsible for coordinating cross-functional teams of 5-7 members to execute process improvement initiatives. To motivate engagement, I scheduled regular one-on-ones with each member to discuss their goals and ideas. By listening first, I gained their buy-in and was able to assign meaningful roles aligned with their strengths. I also tracked progress closely to celebrate wins, which kept morale high even through challenges. Through these strategies of communication, support and accountability, we successfully optimized several operations processes over a 6-month period.
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Discuss your long-term growth potential and ambitions at this company specifically.
Sample Answer: My goal is to become an expert in utilizing data and analytics to inform product development and drive innovation in the insurance space. In 5 years, I hope to be a Senior Product Manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield leveraging member insights to help design and launch new solutions that expand healthcare access and affordability nationwide. I’m committed to growing my skills and capabilities here to have greater strategic impact over time.
Tips for Acing Your Blue Cross Blue Shield Interview
These tips can help you prepare for success in your Blue Cross Blue Shield interview:
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Thoroughly research the company, including their mission, history, culture, product offerings, and recent news/initiatives.
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Review the job description and your resume carefully so you can connect your experience to the role’s responsibilities and requirements.
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Practice answering likely questions aloud until your delivery sounds natural and confident. Time yourself to keep answers concise.
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Develop thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer that demonstrate your engagement and interest.
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Dress professionally and exude positive energy and enthusiasm throughout the interview day.
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Send prompt thank you notes to your interviewers reaffirming your interest and fit.
With preparation and practice using the tips and sample questions above, you can showcase your healthcare industry
Be prepared for behavioral questions (you know, the STAR kind)
We use a behavioral interview method called Targeted Selection. It’s tried and true to predict future performance based on past behavior. A lot of the people you interview will not use Targeted Selection, but you will get these kinds of questions at some point. To nail them:
- If someone asks you, “Tell me about a time when you weren’t satisfied with your work,” you should be ready with real-life examples. How did you handle the situation?”.
- Give lots of examples to make it clear what projects you’ve worked on and how you’ve handled different situations. To do well on this part, talk about times or projects you’ve been a part of, what your specific role was, and how those times or projects turned out. Think about a tough conversation you had with a coworker or client, a problem you solved on a project with a short deadline, etc.
- Practice the STAR technique to answer behavioral questions. To tell the story of how you dealt with the situation, use this format:
Situation/Task: Explain the specific circumstance or task.
Action: Describe what you did – the steps you took and how you went about it.
Resolution: Share a measurable accomplishment, outcome, or what you learned.
Know who will be interviewing you
Many times, during an interview with us, you’ll meet with different people for 30 to 45 minutes each. Most of the time, the entire interview day lasts between two to four hours. That person will be your hiring manager. You’ll also meet people you might work with, who might not be on your team, and the talent acquisition consultant, also known as your recruiter.
We send you an agenda with your interview times and who you’ll be meeting before every interview. To feel more at ease, it’s a good idea to quickly look into who’s who.
